Description
This Halloween Pumpkin Cake is moist, flavorful, and spiced just right—perfect for festive gatherings. With rich pumpkin spice layers and luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s a showstopper for Halloween parties and fall baking. Easy to make, fun to decorate, and loved by both kids and adults!
Ingredients
Scale
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- For the Pumpkin Cake Layers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring for Halloween-themed decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat sugars, pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine and pour: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Divide batter between prepared pans.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Tint with food coloring if desired.
- Assemble and decorate: Frost between layers and over the cake. Decorate with Halloween sprinkles, candy, or piping work.
Notes
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- To make ahead, bake layers a day early and store covered until frosting.
- For cupcakes, bake 18–22 minutes and yield about 24.
- To keep moist, don’t overbake and store in an airtight container.
- Add food coloring or themed toppers for fun Halloween flair.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Halloween Pumpkin Cake, Fall Baking Recipes, Halloween Desserts, Pumpkin Spice Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting Cake